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心骨に刻する (しんこつにこくする) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, suru verb (special)
engrave in one's heart ; deeply impress on one's mind
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning to remember something deeply and never forget it, as if carved into one's bones. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
この 経けい 験けん を 心しん 骨こつ に 刻こく し 、 二に 度ど と 同おな じ 過あやま ち を 繰く り 返かえ さ ない 。
I will engrave this experience in my heart and never repeat the same mistake.
Similar words 肝きも に 銘めい じる Similar idiomatic expression meaning to take something to heart, but 心骨に刻する emphasizes a deeper, more permanent impression, as if carved into one's very bones.
心こころ に 刻きざ む More common and neutral expression for engraving something in one's heart; 心骨に刻する is more intense and literary.
Etymology The expression combines 心骨 (heart and bones, i.e., one's innermost being) with 刻する (to engrave). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of using physical carving imagery for deep mental impression.
